Arlington Jacksonville FL

The area in Jacksonville FL known as Arlington

Arlington Jacksonville FL is a group of neighborhoods located east of downtown. Together, the neighborhoods were eventually annexed by the city during the 1968 consolidation. The earliest history dates back to Fort Caroline when the French occupied the area 1564-1565. The Spanish, having landed more than 50 years earlier thought the land theirs. A number of bloody engagements ensued for some time. The Spanish would occupy the fort as San Mateo for a few years. Finally in 1568 French soldiers recaptured the fort. With help from local Indians, the fort was later destroyed.

The area could only be approached from the downtown area by ferry. This led to few settlers in the early days. Plantations dotted the river with orange groves, lumber and grist mills. It was not until after the civil war that development started. A railroad line was built from the area to Mayport. Hotels followed and until the freeze and snow of 1895, the area was thriving. The freeze killed off the fruit and the snow sent the tourists further south.

Fast growing Arlington Jacksonville FL

As Jacksonville was growing downtown, many wanted to expand east toward the beaches. The 1920s saw more traffic to the city from up north and people wanted an easier way to get to the beach. The Matthews Bridge idea was formed by residents in the late 1930s. It would go east from downtown to the neighborhood to create a simple path to the beach. Florida Representative and Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court John Matthews was the driving force behind raising funds for the bridge. The bridge officially opened in 1953 after two years of construction. The new roadway allowed for great expansion east toward the beaches. From 1950 to 1970, Arlington Jacksonville FL was the fastest growing neighborhood.

Some landmarks that are still there include an original 1950s McDonald’s with the arches that formed the shape of a bow. The old original Thunderbird Motor Inn, which became the official hotel of the Florida Georgia games. Ranch houses became the normal construction mode as residents wanted single story homes with larger floor plans. There is a fantastic neighborhood preservation that is intent on preserving the past of the area.

Some of the original neighborhoods within the neighborhood Charter Point, Woodland Acres, Lake Lucina, Fairways Forest, Gilmore and Alderman Park. The MLS now includes the Fort Caroline area, Hidden Hills as well as Queens Harbor. The 32211, 32255 and 32277 zip codes are used for most of the area. The modern day boundaries are Atlantic Blvd to the Intercoastal waterway north to the St. Johns River and west Charter Point. South then to where the creek meets Atlantic Blvd. The City of Jacksonville announced last year plans for mobility changes to the area. Neighborhoods with immediate need are those closest to the Matthews Bridge.